Community Corner

For the Birds

Wildlife experts urge residents to leave alone the baby animals now emerging in the warm months.

People instinctively want to help the seemingly helpless baby animals they encounter as spring progresses toward summer, but it’s almost always best to leave them alone, according to wildlife experts.

The state Department of Environmental Protection is promoting that message in an “If You Care, Leave it There” publicity campaign, reminding people that most wildlife will do better without direct human intervention. 

Meredith Sampson, a wildlife rehabilitator and head of Old Greenwich-based , agrees.

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“We are into baby season and baby birds are now fledging from their nests,” Sampson told Patch. “When they become mostly fully feathered, they know it’s time to leave the nest and they flutter down to the ground and what they need to do is build up their flight muscles. That’s a very dangerous time for them. That’s why we urge people to keep their cats indoors, especially in the spring and summer months, their dogs leashed. And if people see baby birds, leave them alone unless they’re in the road.”

Sampson added that now is a bad time to get tree work done.

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“A lot of times, the tree crew comes in and nesting birds or squirrels are killed,” Sampson said. “If it’s possible to delay that work to the fall, that would be best. Also, if people are mowing their lawns, check for nests on or near the ground.”

Sampson said that even if a person cannot see a fledgling’s parent, “the parents know where their babies are, and they will bring them food during flight training. Likewise, if a person sees a baby deer, leave them alone because the mother is not far away.”

The DEP offers several tips for dealing with young wildlife as part of its campaign:

White-tailed Deer: For the first several days after birth, fawns instinctively freeze and lie motionless when approached. They are fed by the doe three to four times a day, with feeding time lasting about 15 minutes.

“It is best not to touch the fawn, but rather leave it alone for at least 24 hours to determine whether the adult is returning for feedings,”  Rick Jacobson, director of the DEP's Wildlife Division,  said in a press release.  “While waiting for the doe to return, it is important that both people and dogs stay away from the fawn.  A truly orphaned fawn will show signs of distress by walking around aimlessly and calling out for several hours.”

Birds: Keep pets away from the bird and watch it closely for at least an hour to see if the parents are returning to feed it.

If you find a young bird on the ground that appears not to have feathers, look for a nest.  If a nest is in a nearby tree or shrub and the bird feels warm to the touch, try to place the nestling back into the nest.  If the nest has fallen on the ground, make a new nest with a wicker basket and some dry grasses and hang the basket with the nestling in it in a nearby tree or shrub. 

Injured Animals: If you find an animal that is definitely injured or orphaned, remember to:

  • Avoid direct contact;
  • Keep pets and children away from the animal;
  • Use heavy gloves to transfer the animal to a cardboard box or escape-proof container;
  • Try to keep the animal in a warm, quiet place;
  • Contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.

In Connecticut, there are approximately 250 authorized volunteer wildlife rehabilitators with the skills and training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.  If you need a wildlife rehabilitator, consult the  list of licensed rehabilitators maintained by the DEP's Wildlife Division or call the division at 860-424-3011 during regular office hours. After hours or on weekends call the DEP Emergency Dispatch Center, 860-424-3333.

A good list with many wildlife rehabilitators listed from Fairfield County also can be found here.


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